Day 99: The Word Became Flesh

 Today's readings: John 1-3 and Proverbs 5:1-6.

I. In the unexpected switch to the New Testament, we begin with perhaps my favorite Gospel. John 1 is one of the most pivotal chapters of the Bible: the Logos is God, fulfilling Scripture when He "became flesh and dwelt among us." John the Baptist "bore witness to Him," baptized Christ, which gives us one of the first theophanies in the New Testament, and the first Apostles were called by Him. 

In the next chapter, Jesus performs His first public miracle at a wedding in Cana upon the urging of Mary. In this, He revealed something of His divine authority and glory. Then He cleanses the Temple, driving out the traders and money-changers, telling them that "you shall not make my Father’s house a house of trade." In this, He showed His authority and zeal for proper worship. A sign is demanded from Him, which he replies, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up" (meaning His body). 

John 3 has one of the most important conversations in Scripture. Nicodemus visits Jesus at night and is told how a person enters the Kingdom of God. Probably the most famous verse from the New Testament is given:

For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. (3:16)

John the Baptist notes about Jesus that "He must increase, but I must decrease."

The chapter ends by emphasizing that eternal life is found in Christ: "He who believes in the Son has eternal life."

The BIY Companion, Vol I, has some good commentary on this:

In its opening words, John's Gospel establishes Jesus' identity... Jesus is not just another prophet, healer, or wise teacher. He is the Word made flesh - the divine Son of God... When John the Baptist sees Jesus coming toward him, he exclaims: "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world" (John 1:29). To the Jews, a lamb is a sacrifice. Jesus is the Lamb who will be sacrificed on the Cross for the forgiveness of sins. He offers himself up to the Father on our behalf for our salvation... When Moses lifts up the bronze serpent in the wilderness, the sign of the people's sin becomes a sign of hope. (See Numbers 21.) This foreshadows Jesus lifted up on the Cross. The sign of sin and death becomes the sign of hope for all who believe in him. (p. 212)

II. Proverbs 5:1-6, we only have the first part of this. We see that, as the Ignatius Bible notes:

The dangers of adultery are contrasted with the delights of married life. (p. 967)

That's all for today!